The HSE have outlined what to do if you see your child chokin after two toddlers died tragically in a matter of days.
A young boy choked to death on a piece of fruit at his family home In Cork on Wednesday, and another tragedy occurred just days before that after a child died following complications when eating food in a creche in Co Wicklow.
If a parent, sibling or a guardian notices a child starts coughing all of a sudden and is not ill, the HSE advises there's a good chance that they're choking. If they’re conscious or unresponsive they would need to call 112 or 999 immediately and call for an ambulance, however if they are conscious and not coughing, they would need to deliver first aid.
Read more: Baby handed in to gardai after being found alone in buggy in Dublin
Step 1 - Cough it out
If your child is coughing effectively, encourage them to cough.
If that does not work, you may need to try slap it out.
Step 2 - Slap it out
Stand behind your child. Support them in a forward-leaning position.
Give up to 5 blows to the back between the shoulder blades.
If this does not dislodge the object, you will need to try and squeeze the object out.
Step 3 - Squeeze it out
Stand or kneel behind the child.
Give 5 abdominal thrusts (this is called the Heimlich manoeuvre).
Clench your fist and place it between the belly button and the ribs.
Grasp this hand with your other hand and pull sharply inwards and upwards.
Do not apply pressure to the ribs as this may cause damage.
If the child is still choking and you haven't already called 112 or 999 before, call them immediately.
Step 4 - Call 112 or 999
Keep doing 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts. Do this until the object pops out, the ambulance arrives or your child is unresponsive.
It is very important to know that if your child is unresponsive, you will need to begin CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation). The emergency phone operator will also guide you through how to give CPR.
If you see the object during PCR, remove it with your fingers. Do not place your fingers into your child's mouth if you cannot see the object.
If the object does come out, you should still get medical help afterwards. This is in case part of the object remains or your child has had an injury during the procedure.
You can learn more about where to get first aid training and CPR training on the HSE official website. Also, the Irish Red Cross App and St John Ambulance Ireland App are free first aid apps for your phone.
The HSE has also outlined the non-food choking risks for babies and children on their website.
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